Things I would tell my younger self…

• God loves you even when you feel unworthy…no…especially when you feel unworthy!

• Obsessively restricting foods/calories will only lead to uncontrollable binges – don’t do it!

• Self esteem is exactly what is says…it comes from yourSELF.

• You are more than the number at the back of your jeans – be more, do more!

• You are not what happened to you – forgive them.

• Stop feeling sorry for yourself – you’re too interesting for that!

• Forgiveness will set you free. Forgive them. Forgive yourself. Just forgive!

• You will never please everyone all the time – focus on pleasing God.

• Be a good person but don’t waste your time trying to prove it.

• Bad company really does corrupt good character.

• Your Natural hair is beautiful – treat it well.

• You are different – embrace it.

• Don’t take yourself too serious – laugh and laugh loud!

• You might not have known the love of an earthly father but you will learn to know God’s unconditional love and it will change you.

• You do not need validation to be you.

• God saved you from a dying bed when doctors said it was over – there is NOTHING He cannot do!

• You will marry a man who loves you regardless of your weight.

• You don’t need a lot of friends (the few you have are true).

• Your purpose is bigger than you – get out of your own way!

• The very thing you consider a curse is also a blessing (feeling deeply).

• You are creative – Stop doubting & write, write, write!

• Drink more water.

• Dark chocolate is actually quite good.

• Don’t wait until you’ve lost weight to buy clothes.

• You can look good at any size.

• Knowledge is power – chase it!

• Meekness isn’t weakness – don’t let people make you hard.

• Stay kind and be kind to yourself too!

• You will come into your own – be patient.

• Learn to say NO without explaining yourself.

Jeans & Shirt Dress – Donna | Vest – PnP Clothing | Boots – The Fix | Bag – MRP | Earrings – Jems Of A Natural

Donna without Claire

 

Today I’d like to chat about Plus Size Brands, well one in particular, Donna – previously known as Donna Claire.

Remember Donna Claire?!?!?

Frumpy, floral frocks that everyone’s great aunt (usually the cat lady) used to love!

Well…after Donna dropped Claire and just became “Donna” they’ve upped their game and brought in some good pieces.

I picked up a few items from them a couple of days ago and I was pleasantly surprised.

Affordable, trendy and the quality was good too!!!

Well done Donna ( Claire was totally the problem)!!!

 

Jeans are always a struggle for me – but these black skinny jeans are super comfy – I did have to tailor the ankle to make it skinnier, but I usually have to do that since I have thin ankles and they were a real steal at R200.00 a pair when Donna (with no Claire) had a sale on all jeans.

The shirt I basically bought because it has little tie details on the sleeves and because it’s white and who doesn’t love a white shirt right?!?!? The shirt is also super comfy and stretchy too. Plus girls love the stretchy stuff!!!

Don’t ask what I’m looking for…I’m awkward and I have no idea how to pose so there’s that!

Outfit Deets: Jeans & Shirt – Donna / Pumps – Ackermans / Earrings – H&M / Bag – Bata

I picked up some other items from Donna (without Claire) that I’ll show you in another blog post…and I’ll probably pick out some more stuff from them that I’m lusting over…

Like this mesh bomber – Yasssss!!!! (HINT HINT Babe!)

And this soft parka – love!!!!

And these cuties – Must!

The World is changing and I’m so here for it!!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Lauren xxx

Life @ 35

I have been trying to get this blog post out for days but this flu/sinusitis/infection just wont leave me alone!!!

I celebrated my birthday a few days ago – well…”celebrated” is probably overzealous since I spent the day in bed cuddled up to a box of tissues, pills and orange juice, however, it was my birthday and I’m always grateful for another year of God’s grace!

I’m 35 – eeek!!!! Now, I don’t say that out of fear of aging – I actually love most things that come with aging (operative word being most).

Here’s a list of notable changes – some good, some not so!

1. Rest is vital – in my 20’s I could survive and function on very little sleep, I healed from sickness or even major ops like my cesarean much quicker than in my 30’s. This past week I had no choice but to take 2-3days in bed just to get over this flu and I mean flat in bed, doing nothing – not even social media!

2. Signs of aging – Fine lines and dry skin under my eyes have me googling eye creams – and they don’t come cheap y’all – I totally regret every time I rubbed my eyes, damaging that delicate under eye skin – I’m much gentler now (since seeing how expensive those creams are).

3. Dry skin – I’ve always had oily skin and would skip heavy creams and lotions especially in the summer time but these days I find that half way through the day I’m looking like an ambassador for Lacoste – which also has me googling body butters – I’m such an adult (googling stuff!).

4. Taste buds – This one is surprising – the older I get the more my palate changes – I now enjoy an array of veggies that I didn’t like in previous years.

5. Counting pennies – I had a habit of mindlessly buying things for the sake of having new stuff or staying trendy but since trying to live more with less (that happens when you hit mid 30’s – you become all philosophical and stuff) I mostly buy quality, timeless and necessary items (also…I have 3 Kids and private schooling is expensive so I’ve become a cheapskate) – no shame in my game!

6. Self awareness – I love how aware you become of yourself. Who you’re hanging around, what you’re listening to, what you’re reading, your thoughts, your words. It has brought a sense of peace to my life that I’m so grateful for. Yay for aging!!!

7. No – It was never a word I could say (except to my kids). But I’m learning that it’s necessary for my sanity and emotional and mental health. It’s still hard though, but I’m getting better at it (except when it comes to chocolate- that’s still considerably hard).

8. Do you – it’s easy to get sucked in by people’s lives on social media – for the longest time I’ve compared my blog or content to others and always felt like mine came up short, however, I’ve since learned that we’re all different, we all have different lives and we all have different stories to tell. I love inspiring people with my testimony – I believe that God saved my life for His glory and my testimony will always be a part of who I am.

Those are some things I wanted to share with you since hitting the mid-30 mark. I wanted to make it a list of 10 ( I mean who makes a list of 8 things) – (adulting is also making a lot of lists about stuff) but I’ve reached my philosophical quota for the day so that’ll have to do.

Thank you for reading and stay sassy xxx

Top: Makro | Pants: Old | Shoes: MRP | Bag: Old | Earrings: ByMissVoe (she’s got all the good stuff y’all – go check it out!)

Deliver ME from ME!

I’ve been on a journey of self discovery for most of the year (probably for most of my life hahahaha) – hence the sparse blog posts & #OOTDs or any sort of active social media life for that matter. 

It started with my spiritual walk, then having to relearn & reaffirm some truths about myself (especially after gaining back all the weight I lost last year) – I’m still learning – then came the decision to join the natural hair movement (NOT as easy as I assumed) –  spiritually, physically & mentally a lot was/is going on but the most prominent lesson I’m learning over and over is that I am my only hinderance. I am in my own way! 

My state of mind, the way I see myself – and I don’t just mean physically – it restricts me in every way in every area. Allowing fear, insecurities and a negative self image to cripple me. Constantly second guessing myself and doubting my abilities, living in a loop de loop of self-doubt & self shame. It’s time I break the cycle!!! 

I challenged myself to take these pics & do a blog post – totally unprepared – I had to get out of my own head , go against the grain, regardless of the weight I’ve gained or how I think I look with my big “boskop/kroeskop” because let me tell you, going natural has challenged every thought and every belief I had about myself, my appearance and my self image – Yes…hair…hair can do that!!! It’s a good thing though – it’s pushed me further out of my comfort zone – literally forcing me to embrace my truth! 

So with big arms, big hips and my now big hair – I smiled (a genuine happy smile) and posed for the camera! 

I’m big and that’s how I am right now. And this is who I am right now. And I want to live right now!!! I’m tired of hiding behind extra weight or heat damaged hair or jiggly thighs – constantly obsessing about the bathroom scale, shying away from cameras…NO… life is happening and I want to live it! 

This past week we said goodbye to 2 friends, 1 went to bed and never woke up – she wasn’t even 45yrs old – the other succumbed to injuries he sustained in a car crash – only 25yrs old – life is too short Lauren, quit fretting the small stuff! 

So this is me – boskoppy, saggy booby (I’m a mom of 3 & I probably could do with some new bras LoL – but good heavens who sets the prices for bras?!?!? – must be a man), big thighed & flabby armed – it’s me and it’s always going to be me, well, atleast physically maybe, BUT there’s another ME inside this ME and that ME is growing & learning everyday & in this moment, somehow, that’s enough! 

Leggings & Tunic: The Fix | Bag: MRP | Sandals: Gifted 

Lu 

xoxo 

Bata Shoes

Bata Shoes launched their new range called Insolia and I was so blessed to be spoiled with a pair in the loveliest deep red – yayness!!! 

Now, as a heavier girl, I tend to avoid heels as they can be quite uncomfortable and painful – I guess being heavier on my feet adds more pressure on the forefoot – BUT – as you can see, the shoe is designed to reduce forefoot pressure and allows for even weight distribution – and let me tell you – THEY AIN’T LYING Y’ALL!

I was able to dine and dance the night away in these babies with zero discomfort! I’ll definitely be adding a few pairs from the range to my shoe collection! 

Thank you to Bata Shoes for the spoil and for getting it precisely right with this design! 

Thanks for stopping by and stay sassy now! 

Lu xxx 

It’s my birthday & I’ll cry if I want to…

Happy Tears y’all, happy tears!!!

34 years old – whaaaaaaaaat?!?!? Didn’t I just turn 30 a minute ago!?!?!

I must admit though, I love getting older – no really – I do!!! When I think of the shy, scared, ashamed-of-some-extra-weight-girl I was back then compared to who I am now – wow!!!! Growth! 

Look, I’m not saying I’m on some Kanye West confidence level right now (ha ha) but I’m a hellavu lot more comfortable being me and that makes my heart happy! 

Skirt, shoes & earrings  – Truworths | Top & sunnies – Mr P | Choker – RogéroStyle
Happy Birthday to ME!!!!!

Stay Sassy now xxx

Lu

Windy Days & Dresses

Hey Beauties!

So…I chose the wrong day to wear a dress – it’s windy out here!!!

Also, please excuse the creases – I’ve been sitting at my desk waiting for an opportunity to take my pics…

Moving along swiftly…Hey, did I mention  I’m wearing a belt around my neck – ha ha! Yes, it’s supposed to be on the dress but I kinda liked it more around my neck…feeling all daring LOL! 

But on serious note – I like to experiment with accessories , a simple belt could be worn in many different ways, head, arm, neck, just play around and see what works best! 

Dress & Jacket – Truworths | Boots – Jet | Sunnies – MrP 

Stay Sassy Ladies xxx

Lu 

Black Friday!

Hey Beauties!

Hope you’re all having a fabulous Friday?!?

If you haven’t already noticed – I do love the colour black (even my hair) my brother calls me Wednesday Adams ha ha! Black is easy and lazy but mysterious at the same time – and we all know it gives the illusion of being slimmer!

The outfit actually went around the biker jacket which I’m totally in love with at the moment. It’s a bit of a challenge to find biker jackets in plus size that fits just right. I’ve got big upper arms so most of the time when I find a jacket that fits my arms it’s usually a little too long in length. I was quite excited that this one fit perfectly. 

I’m also crushing on these wrap chokers I purchased from RogéroStyle – they are so chic! 

Jacket & skirt – Truworths | Tank & Boots – PnP Clothing | Sunnies & earrings – MrP | Choker – RogéroStyle

Stay Sassy xxx

Lu

Breaking Rules

If I had a dime for every time (my rhymes are tight though LOL) I was told that “fat girls should NEVER, EVER wear white” – oops…sorry…NOT sorry!!!

Yes, this is me, in my fat thighs and fat tummy and fat arms – rocking ALL white AND taking pictures of my fat body in my ALL white outfit – omg…the audacity!  Ha ha!

You know what they say about rules…yep, I broke ’em!

There is NO right way to have a body and there is absolutely NO reason why fat girls cannot wear whatever they please,  so rock your white with confidence my beauties!

How fabulous is this shirt from FabLane Online ?!?! It’s giving me all the feels right now – thank you Michelle.

Skinny jeans, earrings, belt & sunnies – MRP | shirt – FabLane Online | heels & bag  – Truworths

Stay sassy now xxx

Lu

1 Year Blogiversary!!!

Wow!!!! All About That Bass turns 1 – that’s right – 1 year ago I hit the publish button on my very 1st post. I had no idea what to expect as I set off on this blogging adventure, all I knew was that I had a deep desire to reach out to those who thought that you had to look a certain way to look or feel beautiful.

It wasn’t (and still isn’t) about the likes or comments or the number of followers – NO – it’s never about something as superficial as that – this blog was birthed from a desire to uplift and inspire women just like me – who often measure their worth by the number on the scale.

Looking back on the past year – I have to admit – this blog has forced me to grow in ways I never imagined. It has been such an amazing journey of learning, sharing, friendship and most of all gratitude!

Every e- mail subscriber, Facebook “like”, share and comment!

Everyone who follows me on Instagram and Pinterest!

All of the likes, pins and comments on the posts I’ve shared!

The sweet bloggers who include me in their blogroll!

A huge and heart-warming THANK YOU!

To celebrate, I will be giving away these 3 Revlon products to 1 lucky reader, all you have to do to enter is comment on this post and tell me what you love most about this blog!

(Please note – only people in S.A)

 

Thank you for reading & remember to stay sassy

Lu

xxx